High output integrated utility meter reporting system

ABSTRACT

A water meter transmission system reads data from a water meter and wirelessly transmits data to a central billing or receiving system. Disclosed transmission systems are fully integrated and contained within pit housings such that the electronic components are well protected. A flat spiral VHF antenna is integrated into a specially configured integrated antenna cover which fits into the top cover of a pit housing. The antenna cover and/or upper lip area of the upper lip of the main housing comprises protrusions complementary to the distal barrier and medial barrier of the integrated cover and is used to exclude water and contaminates. Disclosed transmission systems offer high output and low power consumption and vitiate the need for meter readers to physically access a water meter or other meters.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent Ser. No. 14/497,628 filed on Sep. 26, 2014, entitled “High Output Integrated Utility Meter Reporting System”, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The invention generally relates to remote utility meter reporting systems. More particularly, the invention relates to means and methods of creating high output integrated utility meter reporting systems.

(2) Description of the Related Art

Other wireless utility meter reporting systems are known in the related art. For example, Neptune Solutions produces multi-piece meter reporting systems. But, the known prior art fails to disclose or anticipate single integrated reporting units that are compact and able to transmit information to a distant centralized billing or information center. The related art places electronic components outside of pit vaults, subjecting the electronic components to damage inherent in outdoor environments. Thus, there is room in the art for the disclosed embodiments.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes shortfalls in the related art by presenting an unobvious and unique combination and configuration of methods and components to construct an integrated utility meter reporting system in an optimal position within a pit vault.

The invention overcomes shortfalls in the related art by providing internal shield systems to facilitate the compact nature of the disclosed embodiments.

Embodiments of the invention may also include the use of an antenna assembly integrated into the top portion of a vault or pit. The integrated antenna assembly allows for direct communication between the antenna and utility meter while placing the antenna superior to the vault such that the vault is sealed within the antenna but yet the antenna is positioned for maximum transmission range.

Disclosed embodiments use a new integrated antenna cover, spiral antenna, antenna insulator, support disk, an upper lip area of a main housing and other components to artfully seal and position an antenna within a top cover of a pit housing. Medial and lateral walls within the integrated antenna cover and other components keep weather out but yet fully support the antenna position within the pit cover. The integrated antenna cover and other components help to keep the entire unit within the vault or meter pit, adding the efficiency of the system.

Disclosed embodiments overcomes shortfalls in the prior art by providing a cost effective assembly option and reduces assembling time through the use of a horizontal index tab (328) that gives a simple and sturdy electrical connection to the electronic board (325) and is connected with the water meter through a cable (360), and a vertical index tab (329) embedded to water proof seal (337) connected to the water meter through a cable.

Disclosed embodiments overcome shortfalls in the art by use of unique wireless transmission methods that compare incoming transmissions with prior transmissions. If an incoming transmission is identical to a previous transmission, the transmission is terminated, thus reducing energy usage and increasing battery life. The disclosed embodiments are conducive to use of high power transmitters of approximately five watts with an approximate range of three miles. The configurations of the known prior art are adapted for 0.05 watts with a maximum range of one mile.

In general, disclosed embodiments include meter reading systems that wirelessly transmit data to repeaters or central receiving units. Transmitted meter readings may be used for billing purposes and/or investigation of utility breakages or other problems.

These and other objects and advantages will be made apparent when considering the following detailed specification when taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a schematic view of a disclosed embodiment

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of an integrated meter system deployed within a pit

FIG. 3 depicts a sectional view of a disclosed embodiment

FIG. 4 depicts an elevation view of a disclosed integrated antenna system

FIG. 5 depicts a sectional view of FIG. 4

FIG. 6 depicts an exploded view of a disclosed system

FIG. 7 depicts upper assembly components

FIG. 8 depicts a plan view of a support disk

FIG. 9 depicts a plan view of a spiral antenna placed upon an antenna insulator

FIG. 10 depicts an elevation view of a disclosed antenna system

FIG. 11 depicts a perspective view of a partially disassembled antenna system

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS

-   -   100 a disclosed system in general     -   200 pit housing or vault in general     -   205 top cover of pit housing 200     -   210 side wall of pit housing 200     -   215 bottom wall of pit housing 200     -   300 a transmitter assembly or antenna system     -   304 optional internal divots of integrated antenna cover     -   305 integrated antenna cover     -   306 medial barrier of antenna cover     -   307 distal barrier of antenna cover     -   310 spiral antenna     -   315 antenna insulator     -   317 spiral voids within the antenna insulator     -   318 spiral protrusions of the antenna insulator     -   320 support disk     -   321 center void of support disk     -   325 board for electronics or electronics board     -   326 connector for antenna     -   327 battery pack of board for electronics 325     -   328 horizontal index tab of electronics board 325     -   329 vertical index tab of electronics board 325     -   330 main housing     -   331 outer threaded area of main housing 330     -   332 upper lip area of main housing 330     -   333 medial wall of upper lip area 332 of main housing     -   334 lateral wall of upper lip area 332     -   335 antenna support shelf of main housing 330     -   336 center void of antenna support shelf 335     -   337 water proof seal     -   350 installation nut     -   351 internal female threads of installation nut     -   360 cable or electrical wire from water meter to electronics         board 325     -   600 inflow pipe or lateral pipe from water main     -   605 outflow pipe to home or the consumer of water     -   700 external casing containing water meter between inflow pipe         600 and outflow pipe 605

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is directed to certain specific embodiments of the invention. However, the invention can be embodied in a multitude of different ways as defined and covered by the claims and their equivalents. In this description, reference is made to the drawings wherein like parts are designated with like numerals throughout.

Unless otherwise noted in this specification or in the claims, all of the terms used in the specification and the claims will have the meanings normally ascribed to these terms by workers in the art.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in a sense of “including, but not limited to.” Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number, respectively. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application.

The above detailed description of embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed above. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. For example, while steps are presented in a given order, alternative embodiments may perform routines having steps in a different order. The teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not only the systems described herein. The various embodiments described herein can be combined to provide further embodiments. These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the detailed description.

Any and all the above references and U.S. patents and applications are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions and concepts of the various patents and applications described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.

These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the above detailed description. In general, the terms used in the following claims, should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above detailed description explicitly defines

FIG. 1 depicts a disclosed system 100 in general which may comprise a pit housing or vault 200 containing an external casing 700 containing a water meter, the water meter positioned between an inflow pipe 600 and an outflow pipe 605. An integrated antenna cover 305 is shown disposed, within or integrated into a top cover 205 of the pit housing 200.

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of a pit housing having a front side wall 210 drawn as transparent. The pit is shown to contain an external casing 700, the external casing attached between an inflow pipe 600 and an outflow pipe 605. The external casing may contain a water meter or other type of meter. A cable 360 or other electrical wire is connected to the water meter and the transmitter assembly 300. The transmitter assembly is sometimes referred to as an integrated antenna system. A transmitter assembly or integrated antenna system may include an integrated antenna cover 305 and attached antenna components affixed or integrated into a top cover 205 of a housing pit 200.

FIG. 3 depicts a sectional view of various antenna components, including an integrated antenna cover 305, spiral antenna 310, antenna insulator and antenna insulator 315. An integrated antenna cover may comprise a distal barrier 307 and medial barrier 306. An antenna insulator 315 may comprise spiral voids 317 defined by spiral protrusions 318. A main housing may comprise an upper lip area 332 which may comprise a medial wall 333 and a lateral wall 334. These various upper end antenna components help to secure the spiral antenna 310 within and/or above the superior section of a housing assembly and/or top cover 205 of a pit housing.

FIG. 4 depicts a transmitter assembly 300 in general and cable 360.

FIG. 5 depicts a sectional view of FIG. 4 and shows batteries or a battery pack 327, a cable 360 connected to a board for electronics 325, an installation nut 350, an outer threaded area 331 and a integrated antenna cover 305.

FIG. 6 depicts an exploded view of a disclosed transmitter assembly 300 or antenna system and comprises an installation nut 350 having internal female threads 351, a main housing 330 comprising a cable 360, an outer threaded area 331, a upper lip area 332 comprising an antenna support shelf 335 and a center void 336 defined by the antenna support shelf 335, a board for electronics 325 or electronics board comprising a horizontal index tab 328, a vertical index tab 329, a battery pack 327 and a connector for antenna 326 for the spiral antenna 310, a support disk defining a center void 321, an antenna insulator 315 comprising spiral protrusions 318 that define spiral voids 317, the spiral voids able to accept a spiral antenna. An integrated antenna cover 305 is shown superior to the spiral antenna 310.

FIG. 6 depicts the upper lip area 332 having protrusions complementary to the distal barrier 307 and medial barrier 306 of the integrated antenna cover 305.

FIG. 7 depicts a sectional view or elevation view of several components that include an integrated antenna cover 305, an antenna insulator 315, insulating or otherwise covering a spiral antenna 310 and a support disk 320.

FIG. 8 depicts a plan view of a support disk 320.

FIG. 9 depicts a spiral antenna 310 entwined, embedded or protected by an antenna insulator 315.

FIG. 10 depicts an assembled transmitter assembly 300 comprising a main housing 330, an installation nut 350 and an integrated antenna cover 305.

FIG. 11 depicts various components including an installation nut 350, a waterproof seal 337, an upper lip area 332, an electronics board 325 attached to a battery pack 327 and a support disk and an integrated antenna cover 306 shown with optional internal divots 304.

The electronics board may include firmware, memory, a processor and other physical components to produce radio transmissions to convey meter readings to a receiver station and to receive radio transmissions or other information from a receiver station. As a receiver station may periodically query a plurality of disclosed meter reporting systems 100 and the receiver station may transmit an interrupt signal to a system causing the antenna system to stop a transmission. Such an interrupt signal is sent in the event that a meter reporting system is sending a message identical to a previous message. The ability of the disclosed meter reporting system to stop transmission when requested saves valuable battery power.

The ability of the integrated antenna cover 305 to fit with or into the top cover 205 of a pit housing 200 and an antenna insulator 315 and upper lip area 332 of a main housing allows the disclosed systems to be very efficient and cost effective. The disclosed configurations, which may include a distal barrier 307 and medial barrier 306 of an integrated antenna cover 305, allow for the artful placement of a spiral antenna 310 at the top of a pit housing 200. The top placement of the spiral antenna 310 allows a disclosed system to fit within a pit housing 200 but yet provide superior radio transmission range and efficiency. The spiral antenna is protected by the pit housing 200 and is thus not damaged by landscape maintenance.

The disclosed embodiments may include the following items:

Item 1. A meter transmission system comprising:

a) a main housing 330 comprising: an installation nut 350, the installation nut comprising internal female threads 351, an outer threaded area 331 of the main housing 330 comporting to the female threads 351 of the installation nut 350, an upper lip area 332 comprising a support shelf 335 defining a center void 336; b) an electronics board 325 comprising of (i) a battery pack 327 (ii) a horizontal index tab 328 to give simple and sturdy electrical connection to the electronics board 325 which is connected with a water meter through an electric cable 360; (iii) a vertical index tab 329 embedded to a water proof seal 337 connected to the water meter through the electric cable; and (iv) a connector for antenna 326, the connector for antenna attached to a spiral antenna 310; c) an upper antenna assembly comprising a support disk, the support disk 320 defining a insulator center void 321, an antenna insulator 315, the antenna insulator comprising spiral protrusions 318, and the spiral protrusions defining spiral voids 317, the spiral antenna 310 configured to comport to the spiral voids of the antenna insulator 315 and an integrated antenna cover 305, the integrated antenna cover comprising a distal barrier 307 and a medial barrier 306. (d) wherein the connector for antenna 326 is disposed through the insulator center void 321 of the support disk 320 and is attached to the spiral antenna 310; e) wherein the upper lip area 332 of the main housing 330 comprises protrusions complementary to the distal barrier 307 and the medial barrier 306 of the integrated antenna cover 305; and f) wherein a top cover 205 of a pit housing 200 is attached to the integrated antenna cover.

Item 2. The system of item 1 wherein the electric cable is attached to the water meter.

Item 3. The system of item 2 wherein the electronics board reads a value from the water meter and transmits the value through the spiral antenna.

Item 4. The system of item 3 wherein the electronics board accepts a stop transmission message and stops transmission. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A meter transmission system comprising: a main housing defining a top end and a bottom end, the main housing comprising an installation nut, the installation nut comprising internal female threads, an outer threaded area of the main housing comporting to the female threads of the installation nut, an upper lip area disposed at the top end, the upper lip area comprising a support shelf, the support shelf defining a center void, the center void extending through the main housing from the top end to the bottom end of the main housing, the center void defining a bottom opening at the bottom end; a water proof seal covering the bottom opening, the water proof seal configured to seal the bottom opening; an electronics board disposed within the center void, the electronics board comprising: a battery pack; a vertical index tab, a portion of the vertical index tab extending out from the center void through the water proof seal, the portion of the vertical index tab electrically connected to a water meter through an electric cable; and a connector attached to a spiral antenna; an upper antenna assembly comprising a support disk, an antenna insulator, the spiral antenna, and an integrated antenna cover, the support disk defining an insulator center void, the antenna insulator comprising spiral protrusions, the spiral protrusions defining spiral voids, the spiral antenna configured to comport to the spiral voids of the antenna insulator, the integrated antenna cover comprising a distal barrier and a medial barrier; wherein the connector extends through the insulator center void of the support disk and is attached to the spiral antenna; wherein the upper lip area of the main housing comprises a lateral wall and a medial wall configured to interlock with the distal barrier and the medial barrier of the integrated antenna cover; and wherein a top cover of a pit housing is attached to the integrated antenna cover.
 2. The meter transmission system of claim 1, wherein the electronics board reads a value from the water meter and transmits the value through the spiral antenna.
 3. The meter transmission system of claim 2, wherein the electronics board accepts a stop transmission message and stops transmission.
 4. The meter transmission system of claim 1, wherein the support disc is positioned between the support shelf and the antenna insulator.
 5. The meter transmission system of claim 4, wherein the support disc is in facing contact with the support shelf and the antenna insulator.
 6. The meter transmission system of claim 1, wherein the water proof seal defines a slot, and wherein the portion of the vertical index tab extends through the slot.
 7. The meter transmission system of claim 1, wherein a portion of the water proof seal extends through the bottom opening and into the center void.
 8. The meter transmission system of claim 1, wherein the integrated antenna cover and the water proof seal cooperate to seal the center void.
 9. The meter transmission system of claim 1, wherein the connector is disposed opposite from the vertical index tab on the electronics board.
 10. The meter transmission system of claim 1, wherein the bottom opening is defined opposite from the support shelf. 